Quest For You

Rather than trying to be right, how about we assume we are wrong? 

Trying to be right has a tendency to close us off from seeing another person's point of view. It prevents us from connecting with the human being across from us. 

Assuming we are wrong prompts questions and can change the course of our relationships with others.

Our inner critic both drives us and hols us back. In well-defined environments, our inner critic lets us push forward relentlessly. But when there is risk involved, a chance that things may not work out, the inner critic likes to talk us out of it.  We need to let the critic speak, so we become aware of it. But he or she should not have the final say.

A great quote by Machiavelli inspires us to think about the mistakes we are making. Are we making errors because we underestimated a risk or because we didn't take responsibility? Mistakes of ambition are teaching moments, while mistakes of laziness never take us beyond our comfort zone.

We are obsessed with productivity these days. And not only at work anymore. We also want to maximize our free time so we can accomplish all the goals we set for ourselves. But despite all the fancy Apps, tools, hacks an tricks at our fingertips, many of us still don'd get our stuff done. I have on go-to productivity tool thats as simple as can be and I use it every day. Its key in helping me reach my goals.

Even when we know that our doing would be for the best, it may not be what is needed. We want to do good, we want to help, but sometimes, we need to accept that it is not what the other person or the situation requires. Sometimes we just need to be.Be there, listen, show support. Without doing. Letting go of what we think is best, and allow life to take its course.

Just because we are working on our goals, often at night and on weekends, doesn't mean we can't have fun. But our fun will change - from superficial time fillers to fun with purpose. the kind of fun that others may consider boring, but that helps us grow and get even closer to our goals and dreams.

Starting a conversation with a person you don't know can be scary. Yet the few times I have done so, I have had surprising outcomes. I made new friends, found solutions to problems I didn't even plan on solving when i initiated the talk, and gained insights and new perspectives I previously didn't have. You have nothing to lose - so start these interactions more frequently and see for yourself the interesting turns your life will take.

Do you complain a lot? Maybe not out loud to others, but to yourself? I realized I complain more than I like. What we think is just a statement, an observation or an explanation, might actually come across to another person as a complaint. Especially if they have a stake in what we are commenting on. I found an answer to my complaining dilemma with the Stoics, and I hope you find it useful as well.

When we spend time with the best, we become our best. They are the people who push us, who give us constructive criticism, and who strive to become better every day. If we want to reach our big, lofty goals, we need those people in our lives. They may not be easy to find, and it may require a lot of hard work to get into their circle, but its worth it. One hour with the best can lead to exponential growth in our life.

Have you noticed that you are not always focusing on the areas that you say matter most? The Attention Matrix by Neen James will help you get clear on your priorities. In a few words, you will spell out where your focus is - on a personal level, in your professional life, and with your global vision. Its a valuable tool that challenges us to spell out what we are about.